MovieChat Forums > Harlan County U.S.A. (1977) Discussion > Basil Collins

Basil Collins

posted 13 years ago by bhoover247
5 replies | jump to latest

Basil Collins the mine foreman might have been one of the best villians I have ever seen in movies, except for the fact that he was real. The sinister way he talked. The menacing way he held his pistol was right out of central casting. Does anybody have any further information on him? I guess he's probably dead now. I wonder if he was ever charged in the death of the young miner. I also wonder how he was able to work side by side with all the miners after the strike was over. Any information would be appreciated.

[–] dekkard8 13 years ago

According to the link below he died in the 80's and was apparently a WWII vet and he survived the Bataan Death March.

http://www.topix.com/forum/city/harlan-ky/T9KKNTPQGQ2RHJRHD

[–] bhoover247 13 years ago

Thanks for the link it was most interesting. As a side note look on the right for the pictures on Harlan dating. Words do not do it justice.

[–] britika 12 years ago

I, too, was wondering what happened to Basil. Thanks for the link.
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I'm kind of a big deal!

[–] Flanged 11 years ago

He was one hardy and intimidating old man, definitely not someone you'd want to be one the wrong side of (or the right side either).

From the way he believed that every union was in league with communists I'd guess he was a Bircher. I was surprised when he let the Sherriff arrest him, he seemed to have more power in that town than the Sherriff did.
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[–] HarlemEagle42 (16110) 7 months ago

Apparently he wanted to hire someone to shoot the director. Not the 1870s, but this is the 1970s people.

https://variety.com/2015/film/features/barbara-kopple-reflects-on-harlan-county-usa-documentary-1201547157/